GERMANY – Acousia Therapeutics GmbH, a Tubingen, Germany-based clinical-stage biotech company developing drug candidates against acute and chronic forms of hearing loss, received an investment from Esperante Ventures.
The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to boost the progress of its Kv7.4 activator programs, with a focus on advancing the ongoing clinical development of ACOU085.Led by Tim Boelke, CEO, Acousia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to the identification of small molecules for the effective prevention and treatment of different hearing loss etiologies. Acousia is focused on the development of proprietary drug candidates, which are designed to affect the sensory outer hair cells (OHC) in the cochlea of the inner ear. The unique dual mode of action of its small-molecule Kv7.4 activators combines acute functional OHC enhancement and sustained OHC protection aim to both enhance and preserve a patient’s natural hearing. Acousia Therapeutics develops drugs for both local and systemic administration.ACOU085 is a proprietary, small-molecule, etiology-agnostic otoprotective drug candidate, which recently entered Phase 2 clinical testing for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced hearing loss and sensory hair cell death in cancer patients. The significant otoprotective potential of ACOU085 is broadly supported by results from a number of preclinical studies in relevant models. Sustained target exposure by ACOU085 in the cochlea is achieved through local application of a novel, proprietary slow-release gel formulation using standard transtympanic injection.10/01/2024
